Kinney Spears steps down as Houston County School Board chairman

ERIN, Tenn. Houston County commissioners will select a new school board member on Sept. 18 in the wake of the resignation of board Chairman Kinney Spears.

Earlier this month, Spears submitted his resignation to Director of Schools Kris McAskill.

"I have some health issues I'm dealing with and just don't have time for it," Spears said of him stepping down from the board.

He had served as the board's chairman since September of 2014 following his re-election for a second term. He was first elected in 2010.

"Mr. Kinney Spears has expressed to me that due to health-related issues he has chosen to resign his position as a member of the Houston County Board of Education," McAskill said in an email. "His years of service as a school board member have been appreciated. Our school system wishes Mr. Spears and his family the best as they work through any personal issues that have contributed to his decision to resign."

County Mayor George Clark said McAskill notified him of Spears' resignation and he began the process of appointing someone to fill the District 7 seat on the school board.

Any District 7 resident who is interested in filling the seat, should contact the County Mayor's Office or submit a resume at the office. District 7 is roughly the area between Highway 13 and Highway 49 in eastern Houston County.

Also, prior to commissioners voting during its regular Sept. 18 meeting, nominations will be taken from anyone attending.

Whomever is selected will serve until the 2018 County General Election next August when the seat is up for election.

Mark Hicks can be reached at 931-212-7626 or on Twitter: @markhicksleaf.